Giants close door on Barkley return vs. Vikings

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Saquon Barkley is going to have to wait at least one more week after the New York Giants ruled their star running back out for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings with a high ankle sprain.

“After consulting with our doctors, we decided he’s not going to play this week,” coach Pat Shurmur said Friday.

Wayne Gallman, who had 118 total yards and two touchdowns against the Redskins last week, will get the start for the second straight week.

Barkley is dealing with a high ankle sprain suffered on Sept. 22, which was supposed to sideline him four to eight weeks. He might beat that timeline though after running and cutting at practice this week.

Barkley said he “felt good” after working on the side with a trainer at Thursday’s practice. But he wouldn’t provide a timeline and was evasive with his answers on a projected return.

Clearly, it seems to be sooner rather than later, given how effortlessly and painlessly he ran at practice this week. Barkley even said he amped it up Thursday, running and cutting more than the previous day.

The Giants had left open the possibility of Barkley playing Sunday against the Vikings as recently as Thursday, when Shurmur said he thought it was a realistic possibility even though he was not participating in practice. But it was always a longshot. Next Thursday night against the New England Patriots was always a more likely scenario, even though that also might be difficult.

On a short week, there will be limited practice time for Barkley to get ready. His clearance to return will ultimately be the decision of the team’s medical staff, and Barkley said he would trust their decision about when he can return to practice and games.

“I wouldn’t say I would fight it,” he said.

The Giants (2-2) appear optimistic. Shurmur said that Barkley took a few reps at Friday’s practice. Still, the Giants are likely to be cautious with their top playmaker.

“I think he’s making good progress, and when he’s ready to play we’ll put him out there,” Shurmur said.

Barkley was injured two weeks ago when his right ankle bent awkwardly while being tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards. The All-Pro running back went to the locker room with the help of trainers. He couldn’t put much pressure on the ankle. He was later seen on the sideline in the second half on crutches and wearing a boot on his injured foot.

The quick return to the practice field didn’t seem to shock Barkley.

“I don’t know. It is surprising to y’all?” Barkley said. “Me, personally, I feel a lot of it is mental. I told you guys the same way I attack the field, same way I attack the weight room I’m going to attack the training room and rehab. I think I’ve been doing that.”

Barkley has 237 yards rushing in three games this season. The Offensive Rookie of the Year compiled more than 2,000 total yards last season.

His return would give rookie quarterback Daniel Jones another weapon. The Giants offense is already getting Golden Tate back this week from a four-game suspension.

The defense will be without at least two linebackers Sunday against the Vikings. Alec Ogletree (hamstring) and Tae Davis (concussion) were ruled out while Lorenzo Carter (neck) is questionable.

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